Although she liked my cooking methods for beets and was eager to try them, she had this concern…

“I am on Coumadin (a blood thinner) and my doctor told me to stay away from as much vitamin K as possible. Is the vitamin K in the green leafy part or in the beet itself?”

This is such a wonderful question, and so necessary for individuals taking blood thinners to be clear on before digging in and reaping those beet-i-ful benefits I shared with you.

The short answer to Gaynelle’s question is the beet root is considered very low in vitamin K. The leafy beet greens; however, are high in vitamin K (as many dark leafy greens are). For this reason, individuals taking anticoagulant medications (also referred to as blood thinners) should avoid beet greens.

Of course, as always, I want to give you a bit of useful nutrition information to go along with the answer to Gaynelle’s question.

This is information everyone can use, even those of us not taking blood thinning medication. Let’s take a look at…

Vitamin K’s primary functions in the body.

The reason individuals on anticoagulant medications should avoid vitamin K.

Foods high in vitamin K.

Signs of vitamin K deficiency.

Daily recommended intake of vitamin K.

How vitamin K-rich foods can benefit individuals with CD who are not on anticoagulants.

Vitamin K – For Blood and Bones

Vitamin K is found in:

Certain foods

Supplements

In the body’s gastrointestinal tract

Vitamin K is actually not a single substance, but a group of chemical compounds called naphthoquinones.

Under the naphthoquinone “umbrella”, there are two basic types of vitamin K:

1. Phylloquinones, made by plants.

2. Menaquinones, made by bacteria (in the digestive tract).

According to scientific research, we receive approximately 90% of our vitamin K from plants, mostly from green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin K is involved in several body processes, but plays a critical role in:

The liver uses vitamin K to make essential blood-clotting proteins in our body. This is vital for successful wound healing.

Anticoagulant medications, also referred to as “blood thinners”, are prescribed to reduce clotting of blood in the body. This is necessary in some individuals with certain health conditions such as stroke, heart attack and pulmonary embolism, which lead to higher risk of potentially lethal blood clots.

These anticoagulant medicines (like Warfarin, which may also be marketed as Coumadin or Jantoven) work by blocking the action of vitamin K in the body, hence preventing clots.

Vitamin K can interfere with and even inhibit the anti-clotting effects of anticoagulants, which is why individuals taking anticoagulant medications are advised to avoid vitamin K-rich foods, such as…

Keep in mind, if you take a medication with blood thinning properties and your doctor has advised you to limit or eliminate vitamin K rich foods from your diet, this list covers some of the foods to avoid. Be sure to ask your health care provider for a complete list and for detailed information about your diet as it pertains to your medication.

If you do not take a blood thinner, vitamin K is important to many bodily functions, so be sure to add those vitamin K rich foods to your meals.

To give you an idea of how much vitamin K healthy adults not on anticoagulant medications need each day, check out…

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is rare to suffer vitamin K deficiency, as most individuals receive adequate vitamin K through a normal diet, especially since very little vitamin K leaches out of foods during cooking or heating.

The current recommended daily intake of vitamin K in healthy adults is 60 micrograms (mcg) for females and 80 mcg for males.

To give you an idea of the vitamin K content of some common foods, check out this list:

Kale, 1 cup chopped raw = 547 mcg

Brussels sprouts, 1 cup = 156 mcg

Broccoli, 1 cup = 220 mcg

Cabbage, 1 cup chopped = 68 mcg

Chile powder, curry powder or paprika, 1 Tablespoon = about 9 mcg

As stated earlier, vitamin K deficiency is uncommon; however, if you have any of the following symptoms, be sure to talk to your doctor about possible vitamin K deficiency.

Signs of Vitamin K Deficiency

Problematic blood clotting or bleeding are the primary symptoms of vitamin K deficiency. That can be indicated by symptoms such as:

Bruising easily

Bleeding gums

Nose bleeds

Anemia

Prolonged clotting times

Bleeding in the digestive tract

Blood in the urine

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Bone problems can also develop as a result of inadequate vitamin K levels in the body. These symptoms include:

Bone loss (called osteopenia)

Decrease in bone mineral density (osteoporosis)

Bone fractures like those experienced in advanced aging (especially of the hips)

Another vitamin K deficiency-related symptoms is an excess of calcium being deposited in the soft tissues of the body, called calcification. Calcification can lead to hardening of the arteries or heart valve malfunction.

Vitamin K deficiency is sometimes seen in individuals with Celiac disease, prior to diagnosis and going on a gluten free diet.

Vitamin K and Celiac Disease

Like most health and nutrition topics, our discussion of vitamin K relates to Celiac disease. That’s because in CD, as you know, vitamin and nutrient deficiency is common.

The damage to the small intestine experienced by those with CD prevents adequate nutrient absorption. In fact, many individuals with CD seek medical attention for a nutrient deficiency related health issue (like anemia or osteoporosis), which then leads to testing and diagnosis of CD.

Nutritional deficiencies are such a serious issue for individuals with CD, I’m devoting my entire “A Side of Science” article to this topic in my March issue of “Food Solutions”. Don’t miss next month’s issue for this vital information for anyone with CD or another health issue that compromises digestive health.

I hope you will all find this information useful. Keep in mind, living gluten free is not only about the food on our plate. It is an ABSOLUTE experience encompassing everything from the toothpaste we brush with to the medications we take and everything in between.

I’ll see you back here later this week for more “Smart Nutrition Backed by Science”.

xo,

Gigi ;)

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About Gluten Free Gigi

As someone with celiac disease and multiple food allergies, Gigi understands how food can harm or heal. Fully restoring her own health with diet alone after a 25-year health struggle, Gigi now uses her own experiences and the skills she gained as a former neuroscience researcher to share practical, easy-to-understand strategies, science-backed nutrition information, immediately useful tips and recipes to make gluten-free living liberating and positive for everyone!

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